Inside a Fort Myers plaza anchored by a Starbucks sits a burger joint decorated with stuffed alligator heads, rattlesnakes, and Everglades murals. 🐊
Florida Boy Burger Co. did not open quietly; it opened with lines out the door and roughly 250 burgers sold on a typical Saturday.
This is how two brothers and a business partner turned their swamp-country upbringing into one of Southwest Florida’s most talked-about hidden gems.
How Florida Boy Burger Co. won Fort Myer’s hearts
Florida Boy Burger Co. is the creation of Dominick Cioffi, his brother Louis Cioffi, and business partner Roger Lolly, three Florida natives who grew up hanging out in the swamp land and swimming in canals with alligators rather than spending every weekend at the beach.
Dominick brought serious culinary credibility to the project, having previously worked at beloved local spots including Rosy Tomorrows in North Fort Myers.
The restaurant opened its doors on July 29, 2024, in the space once occupied by Maverick Grille, and the response was immediate. 🍔
“I anticipated we would be busy, but not to this extent,” Dominick admitted, noting that former regulars from his previous restaurants showed up in force to support the new venture.
What separates Florida Boy Burger from a typical burger joint is Dominick’s relentless attention to detail. He hand-crafts nearly everything in-house, from blueberry jam to sriracha ketchup, leaving only basic condiments like plain mustard store-bought.
The tri-blend patties, a mix of chuck, brisket, and short rib, are hand-pressed daily, and the menu leans hard into Florida-specific ingredients like alligator sausage, Key West pink shrimp, and blackened crabmeat.
That commitment to bold, only-in-Florida flavor combinations, paired with a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, is exactly why the restaurant expanded to a second Cape Coral location within its first year, with co-founder Roger Lolly continuing to lead a statewide growth push. 🌴
Food Highlights
- Down on Fifth: A beef patty topped with truffle cheddar cheese, beer-battered lobster, arugula, citrus vinaigrette, and béarnaise sauce, all on a foie gras toasted bun.
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Alligator Alley: The restaurant’s classic burger, featuring two four-ounce beef patties, sauteed onions, lettuce, tomato, dill pickle, American cheese, and the restaurant’s secret fancy sauce on a toasted bun.
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Swamp Stomper: A beef patty piled with three thick-cut bacon slabs, extra cheesy American cheese, Florida barbecue sauce, and ranch dressing on the side.
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Black Rambo: A beef patty topped with alligator sausage, blackened crabmeat, spicy pimento cheese, pickled red onions, and arugula tossed in Florida boy citrus vinaigrette.
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Good Ol’ Boy: A nostalgic beef patty topped with arugula, the restaurant’s famous blueberry jam, peanut butter, melted cheddar cheese, and foie gras butter on a toasted bun.
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Monticello: A beef patty finished with arugula, bacon onion jam, marinated goat cheese, and truffle oil on a foie gras toasted bun.
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Florida Cracker: A beef patty loaded with bacon, BBQ pork, cheddar cheese, and crispy onion straws on a toasted bun.
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Marino: A beef patty topped with arugula, heirloom tomatoes, prosciutto, burrata cheese, and house-made pesto.
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McGregor: A lamb patty layered with Guinness caramelized onions, sage cheddar, and whiskey aioli, a standout for guests wanting something beyond classic beef.
Atmosphere
Florida Boy Burger fully commits to its “old Florida” theme, decorating the dining room with stuffed alligator heads, mounted rattlesnakes, a fish tank filled with native species, and murals depicting the Everglades. 🐊
The relaxed, swamp-country energy fits right in with the burger-forward, adventurous menu.
It comfortably seats around 65 guests inside with additional outdoor seating, making it a solid pick for both a casual lunch and a rowdier weekend dinner.
The overall vibe leans playful and unapologetically Floridian, right down to the decor.
Bottom Line
Visit for tri-blend, hand-pressed burgers loaded with bold Florida flavors, from alligator sausage to blueberry jam.
Add nearly everything made in-house, an only-in-Florida atmosphere complete with gator decor, and a founder story built on genuine local roots, and Florida Boy Burger earns its reputation as Fort Myers’ hidden gem. 🍔✨
Address:
4480 Fowler St Unit 110, Fort Myers, FL 33901
📞 (239) 245-7145
🕔 Open Mon-Thu 11 AM–10 PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM–11 PM, Sun 11 AM–3 PM